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Norwell, who has spent his entire four-year career with the Carolina Panthers, has ties to some of the current Giants front office and coaching staff.

One such connection is general manager Dave Gettleman, who originally signed Norwell as an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State back in 2014 and became a full-time starter in Carolina.

The other — the most recent hire by the Giants — is Mike Shula. Shula is now the Giants’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He had spent the last five seasons as the Panthers’ offensive coordinator.

Norwell has only known one person as his offensive coordinator: Shula. So for the Giants’ sake, familiarity might help them when it comes time next month to potentially negotiate with him.

The 26-year-old offensive guard is not only considered one of the best linemen heading into free agent, but one of the best free agent players as a whole. Given Gettleman’s public desire to fix the offensive line, the Carolina connection could really play in the Giants favor.